Hydrogen ion concentration adjustment



May 12, 1953 R ROBICHAUX 2,638,419

' HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION ADJUSTMENT Filed Feb, 10. 1949 MPH I INVENTOR. oy R0 blChOUX,

tralizing solution into the product while under 1 good agitation; (9) neutralize high acid cream and partially-sweet cream separately before mixing the two together; (19) re-check the batch of neutralized product after processing or pasteurizing to determine the degree or percentage of acidity obtained; (11) complete the test, after processing or pasteurizing, by using the same procedure as above, thus entailing further calculations and, generally, re-neutralizing to arrive at an approximate degree of accuracy.

Rarely was it possible, with any consistent degree of certainty, to reach the end point in the finished product where the hydrogen-ion concentration would be that at which one aimed.

Another disadvantage of the prior art practice, in the manufacture of many products, was the necessity for delaying the commencement of heat treatment and vacuum processing until a batch of the product, to be processed, had accumulated, been tested, and the acid reducing medium added. During processing, therefore, it became necessary to work from batch to batch if more than one batch of product was to be processed. Sampling, testing, and adding acid reducing media to a series of batches generally resulted in considerable fluctuation in the hydrogen-ion concentration of the individual batches in the series.

The addition of acid reducing medium to a batch of product introduced the risk of local over-neutralization before a thorough mixing of medium and product has been accomplished. This often resulted in saponiflcation of a portion of the fat and the development of a chemical or neutralizer flavor in the finished product. Where the acid reducing medium was added after processing, either in whole or even in part,

the products of neutralization remained in the liquid, being processed unless subjected to further treatment in vacuum.

The addition of acid reducing media to any. milk, or milk product, that was to be condensed. or that was in process of being condensed, or after condensing was completed, was subject to many of these errors and was attended by most of the disadvantages hereinbefore described.

The control of the pH value of milk products is a most important step in the standardization and improvement of these products. For example, it is most important to control the pH' of the butter serum at a pH of 6.9 to 7.1 for butter which is to be successfully stored for any period of time, and at a pH of .6.5 to 7.0 for butter which is not to be stored. 'This control gives a combination of ideal flavor-and keeping quality in the finished product.

In my new and original method of continuously adding the acid reducing media to milk, milk products, or ice-cream mix, while flowing through vacuum apparatus, in such a manner as to maintain the product, being processed, substantially, at a given pH value, the numerous disadvantages associated with the older conven- 4 tional method of neutralizing to an acid number or percentage are entirely eliminated and the desired hydrogen-ion concentration of the final product is assured.

Substantially then, the application of my new method of neutralizing to milk, milk derivatives, and mixes containing milk or milk products, makes the use of the batch system of procedure unnecessary. It avoids the inconvenience and cost of sampling each batch and testing for acidity. It eliminates calculations and the labor of preparing and adding the acid reducing medium manually. It prevents local over-neutralization and the risk of fat saponification and the danger of having neutralizer flavor in the finished product. There being no integrated gas formation there is no foaming or entrainment loss from this cause in vacuum equipment. It permits a constant and progressive acid reduction of the product during condensing operations. It assures the final product having the desired hydrogen-ion concentration.

The continuous and regulated addition of the acid reducing medium to the product, during ebullition in vacuum, produces immediate and thorough mixing and instant release. of the gases formed by the reaction of the neutralizing medium with the acid content of the product. Complete reaction and total conversion of the acid reducing medium is also assured.

My method can be applied to any combined heating and vacuum processing equipment used in the treatment of milk, milk products, icecream mix, etc. Any of the recording or indicating ,pI-I meters or potentiometers available on the market can be used with a hand operated valve means or with a proportioning valve auto equipment at a suitable point, by the effect of the vacuum obtaining therein, through a pipe connected to said vacuum equipment and to a vessel containing the pH adjusting medium, there being located in said pipe a regulating valve which may be controlled either by hand or by automatic means; wherein the liquid being procesesd is being adjusted continuously to a desired pH value; wherein the coagulation of the milksolids in milk or its derivatives or of solids in any edible liquid is prevented; wherein the addition of pH adjusting media either before and/or after processing is avoided; wherein induced foaming of the edible liquid being processed and entrainment loss does not occur;

wherein the gases produced by chemical reaction are removed fromthe product; wherein the loss of fat from cream being churned into butter is greatly reduced; wherein impairment of flavor of the product through chemical reaction of pH correction media with certain constituents of the product is absent; wherein objectionable flavor development in products, due to improper pH correction when the titratable acid or alkaline figure is used, is obviated; wherein the many arcane:

5f?v steps and ''labor' involved in theuse "of the tit-Irat able acid "or alkaline figure is' entirely ell i= nated wherein the'fieces'sity tad-delay processing: operations until a; batch of prod u'c'zt has decor-rim lated isnoh existeriti; where-in the variationin 5b the pH valueof difierentbatchesdoes not hep: pen; wherein the progressive iiicrease'ina dity occurring in-milk products duringla condensing operation; may .be" continuously held down toa i constant pH value; wherein total and complete reaction. :of the pH "adj usti'rig media is assured. -v The vforegoing objects and other important features or my present inventionwiil pcome more-apparent upon a -review of the now rigspecifications and claims; which foi' tr e'pur ose of clarity, but Without limitation, of he intern" tion; malze'referenee'to the'accompah gdi w-' ing whieh is a diagrammatic represented one combihatioh of apparatus with which my method; for the co'ntin uous'adjustmefit of the hydrogen-ion concentration, or pH, of liq'i'iids; intended .for human'consumptioii; While being processed under reduced pressure or vaeu u r'n -can besiiitably applied. 1

In this drawing a conduitlserves to" 'upply liquid :pibduct, to be treated, fibin any editable source of supply (not shown); The said lidi iid product may, solely for the purposes of illustration', be assumed-to be hiilk. Conduit l conimunicates with the pump 2 for feeding the lid'u idreceived from conduit I through connecting-pipe 3 .-to the receiving chamber 4 positioned -aboifethe vacuum Compartment of the vacuum c arm her 5; In some applicationsa preheating-do he might be positioned betweentheconnecting pip'e' 3 andthe receiving chamber'fl; From the receiv ing chamber 4the liquid drains through an aperture controlled by float valve 6 into a-distr ibut ing head 1 positioned in the upper portion'of'th'e vacuum chamber 5. From the distributing head 1, the liquid flows through the vacuum chamber 5, finely dispersed substantially throughout-the cross section of the said chamber 5; In the latter, the'finely dispersed liquid isi-ntir'natel'y and gently mixed with steam; introduced into I the upper portion of the chamber 5 through the I stemsupply conduit 8. A suitable and con-venient-manner of securing the gentle mixing-of the steam and I liquid; being processed, isthat;-, illustrated for exampleinthe Murray PatentsNo. 2,091,666 and No. 2,325,534, The mixture of the steam and finely dispersed particles or droplets of liquid in the chamber 5 substantially instantaneously raises the temperature ofthe particles of, liquid to the steam temperature which cor're- Y sponds to the degree of vacuum or sub-atmosv pheric pressure existing Within the vacuum". chamber 5.

f'ih' degree of vacuum or sub-atmospheric pressure existing, within the vacuum chamber 5 is controlled by the valve 9 positioned withinthe conduit Jill, which conneci'sihe first vacuum chamber '5 with the second vacuum chamber H. The vacuum chamber H is ,partiallyeX haiisted through a conduit iz'com m nicatihg" at" one end with the upper p r-donor the-chamber l l' and comm'unicating at its opposite end; with the ejector-condenser lit. The latter-may beefknown construction and provides a meansfor establishingand maintaining the desired vacui um in theapparatus. The'difference innpressurebetween the first vacuum 'chamber ili and the second vacuum chamber i l r-causes' the' i ntermin'g-led s'tea'm and liquid, that isQ the heated fluids, v.t'o-fi'ow from the *lower :portion of. the

the chamber ll.

chamberathrough the:

and II is controlled by the appropriate adjust stethecharnber i I may be -regii1atcd-;

Any suitable arid comrcritional means (not shown) may. be employed io r effecting the de sired adjustment-or the pressure-reducing-valve 9; Thiserrangement isper se'conventionaL I swirl downward-1yover the innersurface or the wan-or the" chamber H, producing therebya cyclonic action, tending to separate gases-from Iiiiuids; thereby permitting the Withdraw-111g "of gases and other free volatile'inatters from the central'portion of the'chamber ll through exhaust conduit 12.

The heated mixture of liquid and remainingentrained gases, after passing downwardly over the inner 'Wallofthe Chamber I, accumulates in the lower 'por-tio'r ithereof and hem thence passes through an aperture controlledby a neat vali e 15 into a conduit 16 from wl'iich it 1 tangentially discharged into the upper portion oi i a third vacuum 01 coourig chamber l The vacuum chamberll is p rovi'ded-with an eiihaust conduit iii, which-,like exhaustconduit l2, for chain-138i l l, isccnnected at Bneehii with the "upper portion of-thefchamber il and at it'sopposite end is connectedwith the ejector con denser i3. As aforesaid, by means of sucha suitable sou'reei afvacuum, desired degrees of vacuum may tie-secured and maintained within scribed in 'theMurray Patent N0; 2,378,425; i.- e.

it may be ofthe conn qound condenser type so that the Vacuum chamber H may be subjected to vacuum from-one portion-ofthe condenser while the vacuum chai'hber I? maybe subjected to a different degree of vacuum from anotherortion of the condenser.

"The liquid, which-"has entered the upper per 'ti'o'n of chamber 1-? from the conduitl't, swirls l downwardly over the inner face of the wall of" the chamber H, bringing-apnoea eycicnicsepw ration Of "the entrained gases remainin in the liquidaiid cool'ing-the liquid by evaporation of aportion thereof The separated entrainedg'ases and evaporated liquid are forced lay-cyclonic separationac'tion'toward'the' inner portion of the cli'am'b'l l'L-fiohl chance they are Withdrawn through the 'eiihallst conduit 13. The -Iiquidwhich is swirled downwardly overvtiie' 'ih'il'el wan Of the chamber I'i' aceumulatesi-n theiowerportibn thefeofand is Withbhtlllih threfrblhth rbhh conduit I9 by means of purnp' 2!, which turn forces the liquid through a discharge conduitm to the conventionally constructed surface coolerassembly '22 or to some other preferred statior i.

agreater degree of vacuum in the chamber l lthan is maintaihed in the "second-orchard dis:

tillation vacuum chamber ll.

A conduit 23 serves't'o 'suppl y waterprroriiany suitable :s'ource "of supply (not shown) Cohdtiit 'hdl iit m into the upperportion of the second 'va umeharnber 1 i-. The" differencein pressure between the chambers- 5* The ejector condenser It" may referably be that fully illustrated and de 23 communicates with pump 24 for forcing the water received from conduit 23 through connecting pipe 25 to the top of the ejector condenser [3. The effluent, water and gases, escapes from the lower end of the ejector condenser by way of the conduit 26 and is conveyed thereby to some suitable station. The function of the ejector-condenser i3 is to condense the water vapor and entrain the gases coming over from the vacuum chambers H and IT, by way of conduits l2 and I8, and thereby to. maintain the desired degrees of vacuum in vacuum chambers 5, II and H. To this end, the ejector condenser l3 may, as aforesaid, be of the compound condenser type disclosed in the Murray Patent No. 2,378,425.

-A vessel 21, having an air vent 23, serves to contain a pH adjusting solution, for example an aqueous caustic soda solution. A pipe 29, having one end immersed in the solution contained in the vessel 27, is connected to the upper or discharge end of conduit I6 at a point close to its tangential connection to the vacuum chamber ll. Inserted at a convenient point on pipe 29 is a regulating valve 3|. By operating the valve 30, either by hand or by automatic means, a regulated amount of the pH adjusting solution is allowed to flow through pipe 29 and to be discharged into and to be immediately and intimately intermingled with the liquid product which is flowing from the vacuum chamber H by way of the conduit l6 into the upper region of vacuum chamber II. It is evident that the vacuum in the vacuum chamber causes a pressure differential which results in the flow of the solution through pipe 29.

At a suitable point on the product discharge conduit 2| there is located a by-pass pipe 3| which conveys a regulated amount of the processed liquid product to the surface cooler 22. On .by-pass pipe 3| is inserted a regulating valve means 32 by which is regulated the desired flow of the treated product. Along the bypass pipe 3|, between regulating valve 32 and the surface cooler 22 there is located the thermometer and electrode assembly 33 of the pH meter or potentiometer 34.

These parts are per se essentially conventional in construction. The thermometer-electrode assembly which, in effect, is a control unit may, for example, consist of a sensitive measuring electrode, a reference electrode, and a temperature compensator. The assembly 33 is mounted as a unit, with the sensitive ends of the electrodes and compensator in a flow chamber 33 through which there continuously moves the sample of processed liquid product which is taken off through by-pass 3 i. As pH of the product varies, the electromotive force set up by the immersed electrodes Varies correspondingly.

The thermometer-electrode assembly 33 is connected to the potentiometer 34 by electrical conductor 35. In the potentiometer circuit of member 34, the electrode E. M. F. is balanced against the adjustable voltage of the instrument slidewire. Because the adjustable voltage is modified by the action of the temperature compensator, the balancing operation is influenced both by pH change and by temperature change, so that the resulting value is in terms of actual pH at the operating temperature. This value may be indicated and, if desired, recorded in conventional manner on the scale 34.

Should automatic control of the regulating value 30 be desired, the controller 31, which may beset to correspond to any pH and which is elec-' trically connected to potentiometer 34 by wire 36, is brought into play. The controller 31 is electrically connected to motor 39 by wire 38, motor 39 being provided with suitable conventional mechanism whereby it is connected to regulating valve 30.

When the pH of the processed liquid deviates from the control value, the resultant change in pH is detected and the valve 30 is automatically actuated to counterbalance the deviation.

In so far as conventional parts and devices are hereinbefore described, it will be understood that this is done in an illustrative sense and that use may just as well be made of other equivalent known devices.

It follows from the foregoing disclosure of the principles of this invention and of a preferred illustrative embodiment thereof that the invention realizes the introductorily enumerated objectives by providing a new process and apparatus for the control and adjustment of the pH of edible liquids which are being processed under reduced pressure by automatically incorporating pH-correcting medium into such liquids while under such reduced pressure, whenever the pH value deviates from an established magnitude.

Having thus disclosed the invention and a presently-preferred embodiment thereof, what is claimed is:

1. A method for treating a continuously flowing stream of lacteal fluid to control and adjust the pH value thereof to a predetermined desired magnitude comp-rising, continuously flowing a v stream of lacteal fluid into, through and discharging the stream from a zone of sub-atmospheric pressure wherein the stream of fluid is subjected to a pH value adjustment reaction, continuously determining the pH value of the stream of lacteal fluid discharged from said zone of sub-atmospheric pressure, automatically and continuously drawing the pH adjustment medium into said stream of lacteal fluid by the action of said sub-atmospheric pressure in proportion to the deviation from an established magnitude of the pH value of the stream of lacteal fluid discharged from said zone of sub-atmospheric pressure, continuously intermingling the flowing stream of lacteal fluid with the pH adjustment medium drawn into said stream, subjecting the intermingled mixture of lacteal fluid and pH adjustment medium to the effects of sub-atmospheric pressure While continuing the intermingling action until the ion concentration adjustment is substantially completed, and continuously withdrawing the treated stream of lacteal fluid from the zone of sub-atmospheric pressure.

2. A method for treating material consisting of liquids intended for human consumption to control and adjust the hydrogen ion concentration thereof to a predetermined desired magnitude comprising, intermingling the material being treated with hydrogen ion concentration adjustment media introduced intothe material being treated, subjecting the intermingled material and media to the effects of sub-atmospheric pressure while continuing the interrningling action and concurrently withdrawing products of reaction produced by the intermingling of the hydrogen ion concentration adjustment media and the material being treated until said reaction is substantially completed, releasing the treated material from the effects of sub-atmospheric pressure, continuously determining the hydrogen ion concentration of the released treated material, and

ac tate an established magnitude -of the hydrogen ion concentration of the treated material released "from the efiects oi said sub-atmospheric pressure.

3'; A method according to claim 2', wherein said reaction is commenced and completed substantially instantaneously after the intermingling of 'the-ionconcentration adjustment media with the material being treated.

4. The combination, comprising, asub-atmospheric pressure reaction chamber, exhausting means forapplying and maintaining a s-ub au mospheric pressure condition in said chamber, conduit means for introducing material to be subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure into said chamber, conduit means includingvalve means for introducing material. adjustment media into said chamber to be-blendcd therein with thematerial' being subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure, conduit means for withdrawing treated ma 'terial'from said cl'lamber, sampling means for continuously sampling and testing means for testing certain characteristics "of sampled fractionscf the material-discharged from said chamber, A actuating means responsive to said testing means for-actuating said valve means whereby to control the introduction of material adjustment media into said chamber, said conduit means including valve means for introducing material adjustment-media being so constructed and arranged that the sub-atmospheric pressure corrditions existing in-said reaction chamber will be effective to'cause theflow'of the material adjus-tm'ent: media intosaid reaction chamber fromsaid conduitmeans including valve means. i

5. A continuousmethod for treating liquids intendedfor human consumption, comprisingcon tinuously diffusing or intermingling together -a flowing stream of liquid to be standardizedand a pH adjustment medium which "reactswithfthe liquid to produce 'gas while the intermingled liquid and medium'are passing througha con fining container which is under the infiuenceof a predetermined I and maintained degree of vac uum thereby to cause-a substantially instantaneous completion-of the reaction between said liquid and said-medium, and-separating substantially all of the thus produoedgas from the liquid prior totheremoval of the liquid from the partially evacuatedconfining container.

J6. The method oiapplying-an agentto a stream of 'flowa'ble edible liquid-to ei'lect thepH-condition thereof which comprises, flowing the material at a constant rate throughout a sub-atmospheric pressure chamber wherein a predetermined subatmospheric pressure is established and maintained, continually introducing a pH controlling agent into and intermingling it with the flowing material before it leaves said chamber, withdrawing from said chamber themixture of said intermingling and substantially reactedmaterial and controlling agent, determining the pH of said mixture, and co-ntrollingthe rate of introduction of said pH" controlling agent iii-accordance with the variations in the'determined pHof said mixture. I

"7. Apparatus for treating material to adjust thehydrogenion concentration thereof comprisin combination, a partially evacuai icdv mixing chamber maintained under reduced pressure, pressure reducing means for maintaining a determined degree of reduced pressure insaid'chame beiyinlet means for introducing material" being treated into said partially evacuated mixing chamber, material discharge means for discharging the reduced pressure treated material from said partially evacuated mixing chamber, hydrogen ion concentration determining means for determinin the hydrogen ion concentration of the material discharged from said chamber, and regulatable material introducing means responsive to said hydrogen ion concentration determining means for introducing hydrogen'ion adjustment material inregulatable quantities into the material-being treated prior to the discharge of the-material from said chamber.

-8. Apparatus for treating material to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration thereof comprising, in combination, a. partially evacuated mixing chamber maintained under reduced pressure, pressure reducing means for maintaining a determined degree of reduced pressure in said chamber, inlet means for introducing material being treated into said partially evacuated mixing chamber, material discharge means for-discharging the reduced pressure treated material from said partially evacuated mixing chamber, electric cell type hydrogen ion concentration determiningmeans for determining the hydrogen ion concentration of thematerial discharged from said chamber, andregulatable material introducing means responsive to said hydrogen-ion concentration determining means for introducing hydrogcnionadjustment material in regulatablc quantities into the materialbeing-treated while said material is passing through-said inletmeans.

-9. Apparatus for treating material to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration thereof comprising, in combination, a-partially evacuated mixing chamber maintained under reduced pressure, pressure reducing means for maintaining a determined degree of reduced pressure in said chamber, inlet means for introducing material being treated into said partially evacuated mixing chambenmaterial discharge means for dischargingt-he reduced pressure'treated material from said partially-evacuated mixing chamber, electric cell type hydrogen ion concentration determin ing means for determining the hydrogen ion concentrationof the material discharged from said chamber, and regulatablematerial introducingmeans responsive to said hydrogen ion conoentra tion determining means for introducing hydrogen ionadjustment material in regulatable quantities into the materialbeing treated whilesaid material is passing through said inlet means, said regulatable means 'for introducing hydrogenion adjustment material being so constructed and arranged that the reduced pressure condition existing in said chamber will be effective to cause the fi ozurof. hydrogen ion adjustment material intov said inlet means from said regulatable means for introducing hydrogen ion adjustment material.v

lO..Apparatus for the continuous treatment of material to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration thereof comprising, in combination, I a partially evacuated mixing chamber maintained under reduced pressure, pressure reducing means for maintaining a determined degree of sub atmospheric pressure in said chamber, metering type material inlet -mean's for continuously introducing into said chamber metered quantities of material to be treated, metering type material 'discharge means for continuously discharging from said chamber metered quantities of material-which; has beensubiected o the effects of'sub-atmospheric pressure, hydrogen ion conse me centration determining means for continuously receiving material discharged from said discharge means and continuously and automatically determining the hydrogen ion concentration thereof, and regulatable automatic material introducing means responsive to said hydrogen ion concentration determining means for continuously introducing regulatable quantities of hydrogen ion concentration adjustment material into the material being treated prior to the discharge of the material from said chamber.

11. In combination, a partially evacuated mixing chamber maintained under reduced pressure, pressure reducing means for maintaining a determined degree of reduced pressure in said chamber, inlet means for introducing material being treated into said partially evacuated mixing chamber, material discharge means for discharging the reduced pressure treated material from said partially evacuated mixing chamber, ion concentration determining means for determining the ion concentration of the material discharged from said chamber, and regulatable material introducing means responsive to said ion concentration determining means for introducing ion adjustment material in regulatable quantities into the material being treated prior to the discharge of the material from said chamber.

12. A continuous method for treating flowable ebullient material having a hydrogen ion concentration value of a magnitude different than a desired magnitude to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value thereof to a pre-determined uniform desired magnitude which comprises, continuously and automatically introducing liquid hydrogen ion adjustment medium at a controllable rate into a continuously flowing constant rate stream of said material to form a mixture, continuously introducing said mixture into a reaction zone, subjecting the mixture while in said zone to the effects of sub-atmospheric pressure of an intensity sufficient to produce ebullition in the mixture whereby to thoroughly intermingle and substantially instantaneously completely react the ingredients of the mixture one with another and for withdrawing any gases released from the mixture while being thus subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure, continuously discharging the stream of reacted mixture from said reaction zone, continuously determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of the mixture after discharge thereof from said reaction zone, and automatically controlling the rate of introduction of said medium into said material in proportion to the deviation from said pre-determined desired magnitude of the hydrogen ion concentration value of the said discharged mixture, whereby to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value of said material to a uniform predetermined magnitude.

13. Apparatus for continuously treating flowable ebullient material having a hydrogen ion concentration value of a magnitude different than a desired magnitude to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value thereof to a p-re-determined uniform desired magnitude comprising, in combination, a vertical cylindrical reaction chamber, flow passage material supply means for continuously introducing a constant rate stream of said material tangentially into the upper portion of the said reaction chamber whereby to swirl said material downwardly within said chamber, controllable medium supply means for continuously introducing hydrogen ion concentration adjustment medium at a controllable rate into said material prior to thedischarge of the material from said reaction chamber, ejector condenser type pressure reducing means for establishing and maintaining a pre-determined sub-atmospheric pressure condition within said chamber whereby to withdrawn gases released within said chamber and to produce such ebullition in the mixture of said material and said medium as to thoroughly intermingle and substantially instantaneously react said material and said medium, pump type discharge means for continuously discharging the reacted material from the lower portion of said chamber, sampling means for sampling the discharged reacted material, electrical cell type testing means for continuously and automatically determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of the sampled fraction of said discharged reacted material, and automatic control means responsive to said testing means for continuously controlling the introduction of said medium into said chamber in proportion to the deviation from a pre-determined desired magnitude of the hydrogen ion concentration value of the reacted material as determined by said testing means, said means through which said medium is supplied being so constructed and arranged that the sub-atmospheric pressure condition existing in said chamber will be effective to cause the introduction of said material.

14. A continuous method for treating acidified cream to substantially neutralize the acid content thereof and adjust the pH value thereof from a pH value of less than '7 to a pH value of approximately '7 which comprises, continuously and automatically introducing aqueous caustic soda solution at a controllable rate into a continuously flowing constant rate stream of acidified cream to form a mixture, continuously introducing said mixture into a reaction zone, subjecting the mixture while in said zone to the efiects of sub-atmospheric pressure of an intensity suflicient to produce ebullition in the mixture whereby to thoroughly intermingle and substantially instantaneously completely react the ingredients of the mixture one with another and for withdrawing any gases released from the mixture while being thus subjected to atmospheric pressure, continuously discharging the reacted mixture from said reaction zone, continuously determining the pH value of the mixture after discharge thereof from said reaction zone, and automatically controlling the rate of introduction of said aqueous caustic soda solution into said acidified cream in proportion to the deviation of the pH value of the discharged reacted mixture below a DH value of approximately 7 whereby to raise the pH value of the acidified cream to a pH value of approximately 7.

15. A method for treating flowable ebullient material having a hydrogen ion concentration value of a magnitude different than a desired magnitude to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value thereof to a pre-determined desired magnitude which comprises, introducing hydrogen ion adjustment medium into said material to form a mixture, introducing said mixture into a reaction zone, subjecting the mixture while in said zone to the effects of sub-atmospheric pressure of an intensity sufiicient to produce ebulli tion in the mixture whereby to thoroughly intermingle and react the ingredients of the mixture one with another and for withdrawing the gases released from the mixture while being thus subjected to sub-atmospheric pressure, discharging the mixture from said reaction zone, determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of the mix- .memitef discharge .theizeoficfirom the .ereeotiom ozone,and:automatically controllingtheintrmluoor saidsmeci-ium intosaidzmixturein proportion tothe deviation from said preeeletemnineel .deeireel magnitude of; the :tiydrogemiom concentration value of the coixlvdischergco mixture whereby :toadj met the hydrogen, ion a concentration value: -15: said material too pro-determined desirecima gnitude.

16cv A eontimmue:l methodifor treating. ,fiowahle ebullient; material: consisting .0! liquidsintended for human consumptionlshaving whydrogemion crmcentration valueof (magnitude lessithon 'a desimed'magnitude to raise .thehydwogeniicn eon.- eentration value thereof too: predetermined uni,-

' m ;.clesirell magnitude which comprises. '7 contimmusly andautomaticallyintroducing hyzlmgen ionedjustmeut medium at acontrollablemte into aeontinuously flowing stream of said material-to form-a :mixture, eontimrlously iintroclucing saicl mixtureiutoe ireection zone; suliiectmg-gtliemixturmwh ilerm 821(1120118 to. theiefiects'. of sub-vat:- mospherio pressureof en intensity'eufilcient to produce :ebullition ion-the t'mixturewhereby .to thoroughly intermingle aml substautielly. metamtaneoosly completely react the ingredients of the mixture: one with 1 another and v for withdrawing gasesxreleasedlrom-the mixture-whilebeing:

subjected to-sub-etmospheric pressure, continuomly-disehargmg thestreemofi. reacted mixture immisaid reaction zone, continuously deter-minmgothe hydrogen ioriaeoncentretiom value :of the mixture after" disoharge th'ereoifrom; said :reac tion atone; and automatically: controlling, the rate ofintroduetion oi eaicl' medlumainto :said: mixture in,;pr0portl0rr,to tqtheclevietion from-. said; pro-lietermined-oesired magnitude of the: hydrogen ion I tion- -zone, s-subjeeting -.themixture while; in said zone-mo 215118 effects 0.? sub-"- atmosphericpressure of; immensity v sufficientto; produce nebullitionin" thmmixture whereby to a thereughly 3 iuterming-le endz substantially;instantaneously completely 'react-the:ingtedients of; the mixture one with; another anclzm withdrawing gases; released from thepmixture while being 51311113 subjected ate-- suloatmospheric ;.pressu-re, continuously discharging the streamaof-reacted mixture from sei'cl reaction zone-:continuously determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of the mixture after adiecharge thereof from saitl reaction zone, and auto,- matically controlling, the rateof --introcluctioz1-;.of said: medium: mto-rsaidamixture .inproportion. to the: deviation from; said; predetermined desired magnitudes of the hydrogen "ion concentration value oat the saidv discharge mixture whereby to raise the hydrogen ion concentration value of said mixtureto; auhiformpredetermined magnitude.

1; 18.;A continuous method for! treating flowable ebullient materiel consisting: ofedible, liquids haying ahydrogen ion concentration value oia meg n-iitudealess theme flesirozl:moenitude-tmroioezthe hydrogen ion. concentration value :thereoi torso predetermined. uniiormdesiredmeenitodewhich comprises, "continuously semi automatically intreduci ne: hydrogen-rim adiustmentkmeclium; at: a controllable :rete unto a; ;,continuously flowing etreomcf. eeidbrmoteriel tel-term alsmixtuoe, con .tinuously introducing mixture into 1 a; reactionszone, :subiecting the "while: in :-said monetto the efieetsvoi subratmosphericpressureof an intensity-sufficient erprouuce ebullition'rim the mixture W'IIBIBWZBGTUIQOITQHgMY intermineleond substantially mstantoneously completely "react the ingredients of thepmixtureronewith, another andiorwithtlmwing gaseereleased fronrthewmixv tm'e: While being. rtlms subjected :to sub-amnesplierie pressure, continuously discharging the stream of reacted mixture vfrom said reaction zone. continuously determining the. hydrogen ion concentraltion value 015115116 mixture afitendiseliarge thereof from; seilivreazetion zone, and. automotisally controlling :the ante of introduction. mar-said mediumzinto saidmixture inmroportion tu-tlie deviatlonfrom Somme-determined desired: mew nitude of thelhydregen.ionrcencentrationvalue. of the zsaicl: cliscl'xergeimixture whereby to: raise the hydrogen ion coneentmtion velue of said mixture to. a uniform pre lcietermined magnitude.

:19. A: continuous: method for-ztreotingsflowahle ebullient; materialxconsisting of; a mix! containin milk products;homing; a? hydrogen ion consent-rm tion .value of. a magnitude different than; a; "desiredxmegnitude .to adiostthe 1 hydrogen. ion-com eentration Maine thereof to a :pre-determined uniform 1 desired. magnitude -whieh comprises,

continuously-1 and: automatically introducing; hyfi drcgen. ion adi'ustment medium at-avoontrollable rate lint oval continuously flowing stream of said material to formua mixture, continuously intro ducingxsaid. mixture intoo reaction zone,xsubjectingithe mixture while in said: zone to. theefiects oiosub+atmospheriepressure of-en. intensity Sufficient to procluoeiebullition in the mixture whereby atonthoreughly intermingleand; substantially instantaneously. completely reectatheingredients fromzsaidireaction zone, ondeutemeticollycon-r ,troliingthe: retezof. "introduction. of, said" medium intmsaid :materielin: proportion to the'deviation fromzsaid prerdeterminecl desired magnitude-of" the;hydrogension ooncentraition value of; the said" clischargedzmixturecwhereloypto adjust. the hydrogcrriomv ooncentrationtvalue of said :mixtureto uniform; pro-determined magnitude.

ZULU-Apparatus for continuously treating :fiowable-ebullientxmaterial to adjust the l hydrogen io-nwooncentration sv veluezthereof 11305-9 pre-deterra v mined: desiredgmegnitude comprising, in comb1- nation, va. reactionschomber, supply means I-for continuously :introducing .a constant quantity streamofisaidvmaterial and a: controllable queu tity 2 of hydrogen ion adjustment 1 medium into said reaction: chamberrpreseure reducing means for -;establi shing and mainteinin :pre1cleter mined sub-atmospheric pressure condition I with--- in said-chamber whereby to withdraw ases ireleaseclc-withiusaid chamber; and to; preduceasuch.

ebullitionr in the mixture of :said. :meterial and saidmedium as to.thoroughly-interminglesandsubstantially instantaneously react said material and said medium, discharge means for discharging the reacted material from said chamber,'test ing means for determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of said reacted material, and control means responsive to said testing means for controlling the introduction of said medium into said chamber in proportion to the deviation from a pre-determined desired magnitude of the hydrogen ion concentration value of the reacted material as determined by said testing means.

21. Apparatus for continuously treating flowable ebullient material consisting of liquids intended for human consumption to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value thereof to a pre-determined desired uniform magnitude comprising, in combination, a vertical reaction chamber, flow passage supply means for continuously introducing a constant quantity stream of said material and a controllable quantity of hydrogen ion concentration adjustment medium tangentially into the upper portion of said reaction chamber whereby to swirl said stream downwardly within said chamber, ejector condenser type pressure reducing means for establishing and maintaining a pre-determined subatmospheric pressure condition within said chamber whereby to withdraw gases released within said chamber and to produce such ebullition in the mixture of said material and said medium as to thoroughly intermingle and substantially instantaneously react said material and said medium, pump type discharge means for continuously discharging the reacted material from the lower portion of said chamber, sampling means for sampling and discharging reacted material, electrical cell type testing means for continuously and automatically determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of the sampled fraction of said reacted material, and automatic control means responsive to said testing means for continuously controlling the introduction of said medium into said chamber in proportion to the deviation from a pre-determined desired magnitude of the hydrogen ion concentration value of the reacted material as determined by said testing means.

22. Apparatus for continuously treating flowable ebullient material consisting of lacteal liquid to "adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value thereof to a pre-determined desired uni-- form magnitude comprising, in combination, a vertical reacted chamber, flow passage supply means for continuously introducing a constant quantity stream of said material and. a controllable quantity of hydrogen ion concentration, adjustment medium tangentially into the upper portion of said reaction chamber whereby to swirl said stream downwardly within said chamber, ejector condenser type pressure reducing means for establishing and maintaining a pre-determined sub-atmospheric pressure condition within said chamber whereby to withdraw gases released within said chamber and to produce such ebullition in the mixture of said material and said medium as to thoroughly intermingle and substantially instantaneously react said material and said medium, pump type discharge means ior continuously discharging the reacted material from the lower portion of said chamber, sampling means for sampling and discharging reacted material, electrical cell type testing means for continuously and automatically determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of the sampled fraction of said reacted material, and automatic control means respon sive to said testing means for continuously con-' trolling the introduction of said medium into said chamber in proportion to the deviation from a pre-determined desired magnitude of the hydrogen ion concentration value of the reacted material as determined by said testing means, said means through which said medium is sup plied being so constructed and arranged that the sub-atmospheric pressure condition existing in said chamber will be effective to cause the intro duction of said material.

23. Apparatus for continuously treating now able ebullient material consisting of edible liquids to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value thereof to a pre-determined desired magnitude comprising, in combination, a reaction chamber, flow passage material supply means for introducing said material into said reaction chamber; controllable medium supply means for introducing hydrogen ion concentration adj ustment' medium at a controllable rate intosaid material prior to the discharge of the material from said reaction chamber, pressure reducing means for es-' tablishing and maintaining a pre-determined sub-atmospheric pressure condition within said chamber whereby to withdraw gases released within said chamber and to produce such ebullition in the mixture of said material and said medium as to thoroughly intermingle and rapidly react said material and said medium, discharge means for continuously discharging the reacted mixture from said chamber, testing means for continuously and automatically determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of said reacted material, and automatic control means respon sive to said testing means for continuously con trolling the introduction of said medium into said chamber in proportion to the deviation from a predetermined desired magnitude of the hy'-' drogen ion concentration value of the reacted material as determined by said testing means.

2%. Apparatus for continuously treating flowable ebullient material consisting of a mix containing milk products to adjust the hydrogen ion concentration value thereof to a pre-determined desired magnitude comprising, in combination, a'

vertical cylindrical reaction chamber, flow passage material supply means for continuously introducing a constant quantity stream .of said material tangentially into the upper portion of said reaction chamber whereby to swirl said mixture downwardly within said chamber, controllable medium supply means for continuouslyintroducing hydrogen ion concentration adjustment medium at a controllable rate into said mixture which is passed throughsaid flow passage and prior to the discharge of the material from said reaction chamber, ejector condenser type pres sure reducing means for establishing and maintaining a pre-determined sub-atmosphericpressure condition within said chamber whereby to withdraw gases released within said chamber and to produce ebullition in the mixture of said material and said medium as to thoroughly intermingle and substantially instantaneously react said material and said medium, pump type discharge means for continuously discharging the reacted material from the lower portion of saidchamber, sampling means for sampling the discharged reacted material, electrical cell type". testing means for continuously and automatically determining the hydrogen ion concentration value of the sampled fraction of said reacted ma-f terial, and automatic control means; responsive.

I? to said testing means for continuously control- References Cited in the file of this patent ling the introduction of said. medium into said UNITED STATES PATENTS chamber in proportion to the deviation from a pre-determined desired magnitude of the hy- Numbef Name Date drogen ion concentration value of the reacted 5 1153:0933 Keeler 1925 material as determined by said testing means, 1759996 Parker May 1930 said means through which said medium is sup- 2089132 -Murray 1937 plied being so constructed and arranged that the 2 Peebles et a1 1937 sub-atmospheric pressure condition existing in OTHER, REFERENCES said chamber will be effective to cause the in- 10 Condensed Milk and Milk Powder 6th ed induction 0f Said material 0. H. I-Iunziker, pub. by author, La Grange, Illi- ROY ROBICHAUX nois, 1946, pages 172 and 1'73. 

1. A METHOD FOR TREATING A CONTINUOUSLY FLOWING STREAM OF LACTEAL FLUID TO CONTROL AND ADJUST THE PH VALUE THEREOF TO A PREDETERMINED DESIRED MAGNITUDE COMPRISING, CONTINUOUSLY FLOWING A STREAM OF LACTEAL FLUID INTO, THROUGH AND DISCHARGING THE STREAM FROM A ZONE OF SUB-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE WHEREIN THE STREAM OF FLUID IS SUBJECTED TO A PH VALUE ADJUSTMENT REACTION, CONTINUOUSLY DETERMINING THE PH VALUE OF THE STREAM OF LACTEAL FLUID DISCHARGED FROM SAID ZONE OF SUB-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, AUTOMATICALLY AND CONTINUOUSLY DRAWING THE PH ADJUSTMENT MEDIUM INTO SAID STREAM OF LACTEAL FLUID BY THE ACTION OF SAID SUB-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE IN PROPORTION TO THE DEVIATION FROM AN ESTABLISHED MAGNITUDE OF THE PH VALUE OF THE STREAM OF LACTEAL FLUID DISCHARGED FROM SAID ZONE OF SUB-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, CONTINUOUSLY INTERMINGLING THE FLOWING STREAM OF LACTEAL FLUID WITH THE PH ADJUSTMENT MEDIUM DRAWN INTO SAID STREAM, SUBJECTING THE INTERMINGLED MIXTURE OF LACTEAL FLUID AND PH ADJUSTMENT MEDIUM TO THE EFFECTS OF SUB-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE WHILE CONTINUING THE INTERMINGLING ACTION UNTIL THE ION CONCENTRATION ADJUSTMENT IS SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETED, AND CONTINUOUSLY WITHDRAWING THE TREATED STREAM OF LACTEAL FLUID FROM THE ZONE OF SUB-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE. 